A review and case reports of parasitic arthropods infesting local poultry and their roles in the transmission of haemoparasites in Nigeria

Abstract

Observation of a persistent infestation of turkeys by Stomoxys sp during the day and mosquitoes at night prompted this investigation. Turkeys were mostly infested by Stomoxys calcitrans (74.5%) during the day and by Culex pipiens (15.0%) at night. Plasmodium sp (5.8%) and Haemoproteus (0.1%) were transmitted by these species of flies. Other arthropods identified infesting turkeys included Haematobium sp (3.5%), Simulium sp (2.0%), Aedes sp (1.0%), Culicoides sp (0.2%) and the biting lice Menacanthus stramineus (2.5%). The most common fly species recorded around chickens were the non-biting fly Musca domestica (60.5%) during the day, and Culex pipiens (15.5%) at night. Infesting lice were M. stramineus (17.0%) and oniodes gigas (3.0%). Culicoides sp represented only 1.0% of infestation. Plasmodium sp (2.4%) was the only haemoparasite seen in blood samples examined from chicken. Pigeons were mainly infested by Pseudolynchia canariensis (85.8%) by day and Culex pipiens (12.5%) at night. M. domestica represented only 1.7%. Haemoparasites identified from the blood samples of pigeons were Haemoproteus sp (2.2%) and Plasmodium sp (0.8%). M. domestica (95.0%) and Drosophila melanogaster (5.0%) were the only flies caught around ducks. Both flies are not blood-sucking. No haemoparasite was identified from the blood samples examined. The blood sucking activity of these parasites resulted in irritation and the development of anaemia, leading to production losses due to morbidity and mortality.

Keywords: diptera, haemoparasites, poultry

Tropical Veterinarian Vol. 22(2) 2004: 61-71